Connector interface system for data acquisition

ABSTRACT

A data acquisition system includes a receptacle and a data acquisition device. The receptacle has a housing, sensor inputs to receive data signals from sensors coupled to an object, and a rib to block insertion of a standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug and facilitate insertion of a modified USB plug having a slot that mates with the rib. The data acquisition device includes circuitry to receive, store and process data, a USB plug having pins operatively coupled to the circuitry, a first subset of pins configured to receive data signals from the receptacle and a second subset of pins configured to support standard USB communication with USB-compliant devices, and a slot formed in the USB plug such that the slot facilitates interconnection of the USB plug both with standard USB-compliant devices and with the receptacle, the slot mating with the rib to facilitate interconnection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/408,945, filed on Feb. 29, 2012, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking, a sensor is a device that measures an observableattribute and converts it into one or more electrical signals which canbe recorded and/or subsequently (or concurrently) evaluated by anotherdevice (e.g., a computer system) and/or a human observer. Sensors areroutinely used both to acquire biometric data (e.g., from a human testsubject) and non-biometric data to measure attributes such astemperature, wind speed, humidity, salinity, barometric pressure, sound,light, and the like.

Biometric data often is acquired using appropriate sensors attached to ahuman subject to evaluate physiological activity of various organs, suchas the heart or brain. The biometrics, data so acquired can be analyzedto look for patterns that may assist in diagnosing various conditions.For example, the electrical activity of the heart can be monitored totrack various aspects of the functioning of the heart. Cardiacelectrical activity can be indicative of disease states or otherphysiological conditions ranging from benign to fatal. Many other typesof biometric data are routinely acquired and used by clinicians toassess health related factors.

SUMMARY

This document describes systems and techniques by which a connectorinterface system is used to acquire data—either biometric data ornon-biometric data—from a sensor. For example, non-biometric datacorresponding to a property such as salinity of sea water may beacquired from a salinity measuring instrument and recorded for lateranalysis with other oceanographic data. Similarly, biometric datacorresponding to a physiological characteristic such as cardiac activityor the like may be acquired from an individual (e.g., a patient, testsubject or other user) and analyzed or otherwise used by human or amachine—for example, a health care professional and/or a remote dataprocessing center. For example, a subject can be provided with abiometric data acquisition device such as a real time monitoring devicefor monitoring a physiological signal for events (e.g. arrhythmiaevents, QRS data, etc.), a recording device, or essentially any othersuitable electronic device. The biometric data acquisition device canobtain, for example, ECG data from the subject for a predefined periodof time and can store the ECG data on a storage medium in the biometricdata acquisition device.

As described in more detail below, the biometric data acquisition deviceoptionally may include a data connector such as a USB connector (e.g.,based on the USB 3.0 standard) so the subject can directly connect thebiometric data acquisition device to a computer system such as thesubject's personal computer. Alternatively, or in addition, thebiometric data acquisition device can transfer or otherwise communicatethe acquired data wirelessly or essentially in any other appropriatemanner. Also, the biometric data acquisition device may be provided withprogram code that allows the subject to automatically upload theobtained biometric data to a remote data processing center when thebiometric data acquisition device is connected to a computer using theUSB connector.

The uploaded data can be analyzed by a computer running an analysisprogram at the remote data processing center. A medical professional,such as a doctor or a technician, can provide feedback regarding theanalysis. Based on the analysis and the feedback, a report can beprovided to the subject from the data processing center indicating theextent to which abnormal and/or clinically significant events weredetected during the predefined period of time. The report can alsoinclude a recommendation to consult further with a physician based onclinically significant events identified in the uploaded data.

Implementations of the subject matter described in this document mayinclude various combinations of the following features.

In an implementation, a data acquisition device may include circuitryconfigured to receive data (e.g., either biometric data and/ornon-biometric data) acquired from one or more sensors coupled to anobject (e.g., either a living subject or a non-living, electricallysensitive object), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug (e.g., a USB 3.0Type-A connector) having a pins operatively coupled to the circuitry, afirst subset of pins (e.g., pins 5-9 of the USB 3.0 Type-A connector)configured to receive data signals from the one or more sensors coupledto the object and a second subset of pins (e.g., pins 1-4 of the USB 3.0Type-A connector) configured to support standard USB communication withUSB-compliant devices, a modification to the USB plug configured suchthat the modification facilitates interconnection of the USB plug bothwith standard. USB-compliant devices and with an object-connectedreceptacle that is configured to prevent interconnection with standardUSB plugs.

The modification formed in the USB plug may be a slot that mates with anaccommodating feature in the object-connected receptacle. For example,the slot may be formed symmetrically in at least one of the USB plug'stop and bottom sides. The data acquisition device may further includecircuitry to store, process and/or transmit the acquired data.

In an implementation, a data acquisition receptacle may include sensorinputs configured to receive data signals (e.g., either biometric datasignals and/or non-biometric data signals) from one or more sensorscoupled to an object (e.g., either a living subject or a non-living,electrically sensitive object), and a connection prevention mechanism(e.g., a rib formed along a center portion of the receptacle) that isconfigured to prevent insertion of a standard USB plug and to facilitateinsertion of and electrical connection with a modified USB plug having afeature that defeats the connection prevention mechanism (e.g., a slotthat mates with the rib when the modified USB plug is inserted into thereceptacle). The receptacle may further include either or both of arecess to receive the modified USB plug, and a substrate configured tofacilitate secure connection of the modified USB plug white inserted inthe receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may be implemented in anunshrouded configuration that lacks a recess.

In an implementation a data acquisition system includes a receptacle anda data acquisition device. The receptacle may include a housing, sensorinputs configured to receive data signals (e.g., biometric and/ornon-biometric data signals) from one or more sensors coupled to anobject (e.g., either a living subject or a non-living, electricallysensitive object), and a rib that is configured to block insertion of astandard USB plug and to facilitate insertion of and electricalconnection with a modified USB plug having a slot that mates with therib when inserted. The data acquisition device may include circuitryconfigured to receive, store and/or process data received via thereceptacle from the one or more sensors coupled to the object, a USBplug having pins operatively coupled to the circuitry, a first subset ofpins configured to receive data signals from the receptacle and a secondsubset of pins configured to support standard USB communication withUSB-compliant devices, and a slot formed in the USB plug such that theslot facilitates interconnection of the USB plug both with standardUSB-compliant devices and with the receptacle, the slot mating with therib to facilitate interconnection between the data acquisition deviceand the receptacle.

In an implementation, a method of acquiring data may includeestablishing a connection between a receptacle to an object from whichdata is to be acquired via one or more sensors (e.g., either a livingsubject or a non-living, electrically sensitive object), the receptaclehaving a connection prevention mechanism that prevents connection of astandard USB plug to the receptacle, connecting a data acquisitiondevice having a modified USB plug to the receptacle having theconnection prevention mechanism, the modified USB plug being configuredsuch that the modification defeats the receptacle's connectionprevention mechanism while facilitating interconnection of the modifiedUSB plug with standard USB-compliant devices, and acquiringobject-related data via the one or more sensors using the connected dataacquisition device. Optionally, the method of acquiring data may furtherinclude disconnecting the data acquisition device by unplugging themodified USB plug from the receptacle having the connection preventionmechanism, and connecting the data acquisition device to an electronicdevice having a standard USB receptacle (e.g., a computer system).

Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, andpotential advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings,and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a self-assessment kit for obtaining ECG datafrom a subject.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective views of an object-connected receptacleand an acquisition device having a modified USB plug, respectively.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are various views of a modified USB plug.

FIG. 4 shows an example system for uploading biometric data stored on adata acquisition unit.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary method for acquiring data relating to anobject, via sensors coupled to the object, using a modified USB plug andan object-connected USB receptacle having a connection preventionmechanism.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an example of a self-assessment kit for obtaining ECG datafrom a subject—that is, the object to which the sensors are connected isa human subject. The self-assessment kit includes a data acquisitionunit 105 having a modified USB plug 230 and an object-connectedreceptacle 125 into which the modified USB plug can be inserted, and towhich one or physiological sensors can be connected. One example of aphysiological sensor is a lead-wire set 110 having, for example, a firstelectrode lead 121, and a second electrode lead 122, which may be usedto obtain ECG signals from the subject. Alternatively, theobject-connected receptacle 125 may be connected to essentially anyother appropriate physiological sensor that can sense biometric datafrom a subject (e.g., blood pressure sensor, pulse oximeter, glucometeror the like).

When it is desired to acquire ECG data from a subject, the kit also mayinclude electrodes 115 in the form of removable electrode patches, andprogram code 120 stored on a medium such as a CD-ROM. Theself-assessment kit allows a subject to obtain his or her own ECGsignal, upload ECG data to a remote data processing center, and obtainan assessment from the data processing center without the need toinvolve a third-party medical practitioner such as a prescribingphysician. Also, the self-assessment kit can be configured to allow asubject to self-monitor his or her own ECG signal for a specified periodof time such as 14 days.

The object-connected receptacle 125 is configured to be insertablyconnectable, via the modified USB plug 230, to the data acquisition unit105. When connected, the data acquisition unit 105 can be hung from theneck of the subject using a lanyard 124 on the lead-wire set 110. Theobject-connected receptacle 125 also includes contacts that, whenconnected to the data acquisition unit 105, form electrical connectionsto corresponding contacts within the data acquisition unit 105 therebyenabling the data acquisition unit 105 to receive electrical signalsemanating from the electrodes 115.

The electrodes 115 can be disposable electrode patches that can beconnected to distal ends of the first electrode lead 121 and the secondelectrode lead 122. The electrodes 115 have adhesive backing so thatthey can be stuck to the chest of the subject. The self-assessment kitcan include enough disposable electrodes 115 for the specified period oftime.

While being used to acquire biometric data from a subject, the dataacquisition unit 105 is connected to the object-connected receptacle125, and one of the electrode patches is connected to the firstelectrode lead 121 and another of the electrode patches is connected tothe second electrode lead 122. The subject sticks the connectedelectrodes to his or her chest and wears the data acquisition unit 105around his or her neck with the lanyard 124. The data acquisition unit105 obtains an electrical signal from the electrode patches connected tothe first electrode lead 121 and the second electrode lead 122. Theelectrical signal is converted to a digital signal and stored in thedata acquisition unit 105 as ECG data.

Although the self-assessment kit shown in FIG. 1 is specific to theapplication of acquiring ECG data from the subject, other kits andconfigurations are possible to collect essentially any other appropriatetype of physiological data from the subject, for example,electromyography (EMG) data, electroencephalography (EEG) data or thelike.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective views of an example implementation ofthe object-connected receptacle 125 and the data acquisition unit 105having a modified USB plug 230, respectively. As shown therein, theobject-connected receptacle 125 includes a recess 210 in which a contactsubstrate 215 and a rib 220 are formed or otherwise disposed. Theconfiguration of receptacle 125 shown in FIG. 2A is exemplary and couldbe implemented in other configurations depending on application and/ordesign criteria. For example, the receptacle 125 could be implemented inan unshrouded configuration that does not include a recess 210 formed bysidewalls of the receptacle 125.

Although the form and dimensions of the recess 210 are designed toaccommodate a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, the presence of therib 220 prevents a standard USB connector from being plugged into theobject-connected receptacle 125. In other words, the rib 220 acts as aconnection prevention mechanism that effectively prevents a standard,non-modified USB plug from being inserted into the receptacle 125 to thepoint where electrical contact is made between one or more conductors ofthe USB plug and one or more conductors of the receptacle 125.Consequently, the object is protected from potential harm that mightarise, for example, if the object-connected receptacle 125, whileconnected to biometric sensors on a human subject's body ornon-biometric sensors on an electrically sensitive measurementinstrument, was connected to a standard USB connector that in turn wasconnected to a power source and thus could apply a dangerous ordestructive level of electrical current to the object—that is, to thehuman subject's body or to the measurement instrument, depending on theparticular application. By including the rib 220 in the recess 210, theobject-connected receptacle prevents this potential electrical safetyhazard.

The receptacle 125 shown in FIG. 2A can be used as a connectioninterface for essentially any type of data sensor—either biometric ornon-biometric. Regardless of the particular type of sensor involved, thereceptacle 125 is configured to prevent connection to a standard USBconnector, thereby protecting the sensor (and/or potentially alsowhatever the sensor is connected to) from harm that might arise frombeing connected to a power source.

As shown, the data acquisition unit 105 shown in FIG. 2B includes amodified USB plug 230 having a slot 240 and pins 245. The slot 240 inthe plug 230 and the rib 220 in the object-connected receptacle 125 areformed such that the rib 220 suitably fits within the slot 240 when theplug 230 is inserted into the recess 210 of the object-connectedreceptacle 125. When inserted, the rib 220 mates with the slot 240 andthe pins 245 of the plug 230 form electrical connections withcorresponding contacts within the object-connected receptacle 125, forexample, formed along tab 215 thereby enabling the data acquisition unit105 to acquire data from the object (or subject, if the object is ahuman or other living organism) via whatever sensors happen to beconnected to the object-connected receptacle 125.

In the illustrated implementation, the plug 230 on the data acquisitionunit 105 is a modified USB connector, in this example, a USB connectorbased on the USB Type-A standard. The plug 230 is modified from the USBType-A standard, however, in that it includes slot 240, which is notpresent in conventional USB connectors. The presence of slot 240 enablesthe plug 230 to be connected to the object-connected receptacle 125,which includes rib 220 and which, as noted above, prevents standard,unmodified USB connectors from being inserted into the object-connectedreceptacle 125. The presence of slot 240, however, does not affect theability of the plug 230 from being inserted and fitting within astandard USB receptacle that lacks the rib 220. Consequently, becauseonly a single type of connector is needed—namely, a USB Type-A plugmodified to have a slot 240—both to connect to the object-connectedreceptacle 125 and to standard computer equipment, the number ofrequired connection types is minimized, thereby increasing simplicityand efficiency, and reducing time and costs, both in the manufacturingand end-user contexts.

Depending on the desired application, the plug 230 also may vary fromthe USB standard in the particular pin connections used. Specifically,if the USB 3.0 standard is used (which provides 9 conductors instead of4 conductors used in USB 1.0 and 2.0 standards), the plug 230 can usepins 5-9 of the USB 3.0 Type-A connector for connecting to correspondingcontacts in the object-connected receptacle 125 and thereby to receivedata from sensors attached to the object. In such an implementation,pins 1-4 of the plug 230 are configured to comply with the conventionalUSB 1.x and USB 2.x standards. Consequently, this modified usage of pinsenables the plug 230 to serve dual purposes—that is, it can both connectto the object-connected receptacle 125 to receive data from an objectand, once disconnected from the object-connected receptacle 125, it canthen be inserted in any standard computer system or other electronicequipment having USB 1.x and/or USB 2.x connectivity to transfer theacquired data to the desired destination and/or to be used as input toan analysis program running on the computer system.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show perspective, top planar and front planar views,respectively, of a modified USB 3.0 Type-A connector that may be usedfor plug 230 on data acquisition unit 105. As shown therein, the slot240 is formed in the center of the plug 230 but, depending on otherfactors, potentially could be offset to one side or the other (butrequiring a corresponding change to the relative location of rib 220within the recess 210 of object-connected receptacle 125 to ensure thatthe rib 240 would appropriately mate with the slot 240). In addition,the slot 240 should be of sufficient depth, D (for example, in the rangeof 8-9 mm), such that the plug 230 can be fully inserted into theobject-connected receptacle 125 to form reliable connections betweenpins 5-9 of the plug 230 and corresponding contacts residing within theobject-connected receptacle 125.

FIG. 4 shows an example system 400 for uploading the ECG data stored onthe data acquisition unit 105. The program code 120 can be run on acomputer system 410 such as the subject's personal computer. Thecomputer system 410 includes a computer and a display device. When thesubject has completed the data acquisition period, the subject candisconnect the data acquisition unit 105 from the lead-wire set 110 andconnect the USB plug 230 to the computer system 410. The program codewhen run by the computer system 410, supports access to a remote dataprocessing center 420 so that the ECG data can be uploaded from the dataacquisition unit 105 over a network 415 to the remote data processingcenter 420 where the biometric data is analyzed. The program code cansupport access to the remote data processing center 420 by automaticallyinitiating a transmission of the ECG data stored on the data acquisitionunit 105 upon detecting that the data acquisition unit 105 is connectedto the computer system 410.

In some examples, the data processing center can obtain demographic orother clinically relevant data about the subject. This additional datacan assist in the analysis of the biometric data obtained from the dataacquisition unit. For example, a particular event detected in aphysiological signal can be serious for one person and not serious foranother based on demographics such as age. The program code, when run bythe computer system 410, can also facilitate the data processing centerin obtaining clinically relevant data about the subject.

In some examples, the computer 410 can include a public terminal such asa kiosk specifically provided for obtaining the subject data from thedata acquisition unit and uploading the subject data to the dataprocessing center 420. The public terminal is provided in a publiclocation such as in a health care facility like a doctor's office, apharmacy, or the like. The public terminal can be pre-loaded with aprogram for obtaining the data from the data processing device anduploading the data over the network 415 to the data processing center420. The public terminal can also be configured to obtain thedemographic information from the subject when the subject uploads thedata. A report from the data processing center 420 can be viewed orprinted directly from the public terminal.

In some examples, the subject can provide the data acquisition unit 110to a third-party for uploading the data to the data processing center420. For example, the self-assessment kit can include a pre-paid packagefor mailing the data acquisition unit 110 to a third-party or directlyto the data processing center. The kit can also include a questionnairefor the subject to fill-out to provide demographic data to facilitatedanalysis by the data processing center 420 and to provide a location fora report to be sent to the subject either by mail or electronically.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary method for acquiring data relating to anobject, via sensors coupled to the object, using a modified USB plug andan object-connected USB receptacle having a connection preventionmechanism. This method, and/or variations thereof, can be used toacquire data (either biometric or non-metric) from an object (either ahuman or other biological subject or a non-living object) using aUSB-type connectors, the prevalence of which are widespread in thescience and engineering worlds, while effectively protecting the objectfrom potentially damaging electrical currents and/or voltages to whichthe object might otherwise be exposed.

As shown in FIG. 5, at 510, an electrical connection is establishedbetween a USB receptacle having a connection prevention mechanism (e.g.,a rib 220 such as shown in FIG. 2A) and, using suitable sensors, anobject (e.g., a human subject or an inanimate object that has measurableproperties) about which data is to be acquired.

Next, at 520, a data acquisition device (e.g., a data recorder,processor and/or transmitter) having a modified USB plug (e.g., modifiedwith a slot 240 that mates with rib 220 on the receptacle, such as shownin FIGS. 2B and 2A, respectively) is inserted into the USB receptacle toform an electrical connection. Even though the USB receptacle has aconnection prevention mechanism, the modified USB plug is able to beinserted into and form an electrical connection with the USB receptaclebecause the modifications to the USB plug are such that they arecomplementary, and thus overcome, the obstacles to connection otherwisepresented to standard USB plugs by the USB receptacle's connectionprevention mechanism.

Next, at 530, the data acquisition device is operated to acquire thedesired data from the object in question (and, depending on the devicein question and the specific application, store the acquired datalocally on the data acquisition device, process it in some manner,transmit it elsewhere, or any combination thereof). After completion ofdata acquisition, at 540, the data acquisition device is unplugged, andthus disconnected, from the USB receptacle having the connectionprevention mechanism.

Optionally, depending on the specific application at hand, for example,if post-acquisition wired transmission of the acquired data is desiredeither instead of or in addition to prior or concurrent wirelesstransmission of the acquired data, the data acquisition device can then,at 550, be plugged into essentially any other electronic device (e.g. acomputer system) so that the data stored thereon can be transferred to,or processed by that other electronic device. Note that themodifications to the modified USB plug used by the data acquisitiondevice are such as not to interfere with standard mechanical orelectrical connections when the modified USB plug is inserted into anystandard electronic device that follows the USB 1.x and/or USB 2.xstandards.

The disclosed systems, techniques, and all of the functional operationsdescribed and illustrated in this specification can be implemented indigital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware,software, or in combinations of the forgoing. For example, one or morecomputers and/or circuitry can be operable to or configured and arrangedto perform the functions and techniques disclosed herein. Apparatusesand/or systems can be implemented using a software product (e.g., acomputer program code) tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storagedevice for execution by a programmable processor, and processingoperations can be performed by a programmable processor executing aprogram of instructions to perform functions by operating on input dataand generating output. Further, the system can be implementedadvantageously in one or more software programs that are executable on aprogrammable system. This programmable system can include thefollowing: 1) at least one programmable processor coupled to receivedata and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, adata storage system; 2) at least one input device; and 3) at least oneoutput device. Moreover, each software program can be implemented in ahigh-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or inassembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the languagecan be a compiled or an interpreted language.

Also, suitable processors include, by way of example, both general andspecial purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receiveinstructions and data from a read-only memory, a random access memory,and/or a machine-readable signal (e.g., a digital signal receivedthrough a network connection). The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer wilt includeone or more mass storage devices for storing data files. Such devicescan include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removabledisks, magneto-optical disks, and optical disks. Storage devicessuitable for tangibly embodying software program instructions and datainclude all forms of non-volatile memory, including, by way of example,the following: 1) semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM(electrically programmable read-only memory); EEPROM (electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory) and flash memory devices; 2)magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; 3)magneto-optical disks; and 4) CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can besupplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specificintegrated circuits).

The disclosed systems and techniques, described and illustrated in thisspecification can be implemented using a communications network such asa wired or wireless network. Examples of communication networks include,e.g., a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), theInternet or any combinations of such.

To provide for interaction with a user (such as the health careprovider), systems can be implemented on a computer system having adisplay device such as a monitor or LCD (liquid crystal display) screenfor displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provideinput to the computer system. The computer system can be programmed toprovide a graphical user interface through which computer programsinteract with users.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodimentsare within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data acquisition device comprising: circuitryconfigured to receive data acquired from one or more sensors coupled toan object; a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug having a plurality of pinsoperatively coupled to the circuitry, a first subset of the plurality ofpins configured to receive data signals from the one or more sensorscoupled to the object and a second subset of the plurality of pinsconfigured to support standard USB communication with USB-compliantdevices; and a modification to the USB plug configured such that themodification facilitates interconnection of the USB plug both withstandard USB-compliant devices and with an object-connected receptaclethat is configured to prevent interconnection with standard USB plugs.2. The device of claim 1 in which the USB plug comprises a USB 3.0Type-A connector.
 3. The device of claim 2 in which the first subset ofthe plurality of pins comprises pins 5-9 of the USB 3.0 Type-A connectorand the second subset of the plurality of pins comprises pins 1-4 of theUSB 3.0 Type-A connector.
 4. The device of claim 1 in which themodification formed in the USB plug comprises a slot that mates with anaccommodating feature in the object-connected receptacle.
 5. The deviceof claim 4 in which the USB plug has top and bottom sides, and the slotis formed symmetrically in at least one of the USB plug's top and bottomsides.
 6. The device of claim 1 in which the object comprises a livingsubject and the device is configured to acquire biometric data from theliving subject.
 7. The device of claim 1 in which the object comprisesan electrically sensitive object and the device is configured to acquirenon-biometric data from the electrically sensitive object.
 8. The deviceof claim 1 further comprising circuitry to store, process and/ortransmit the acquired data.
 9. A data acquisition receptacle comprising:a plurality of sensor inputs configured to receive data signals from oneor more sensors coupled to an object; and a connection preventionmechanism that is configured to prevent insertion of a standardUniversal Serial Bus (USB) plug and to facilitate insertion of andelectrical connection with a modified USB plug having a feature thatdefeats the connection prevention mechanism.
 10. The receptacle of claim9 in which the connection prevention mechanism comprises a rib.
 11. Thereceptacle of claim 10 in which the feature of the modified USB plugthat defeats the receptacle's connection prevention mechanism comprisesa slot that mates with the rib when the modified USB plug is insertedinto the receptacle.
 12. The receptacle of claim 10 in which the rib isformed along a center portion of the receptacle.
 13. The receptacle ofclaim 10 further comprising a substrate configured to facilitate secureconnection of the modified USB plug while inserted in the receptacle.14. The receptacle of claim 9 further comprising a recess to receive themodified USB plug.
 15. The receptacle of claim 9 in which the receptacleis formed in an unshrouded configuration that lacks a recess.
 16. Amethod of acquiring data, the method comprising: establishing aconnection between a receptacle to an object from which data is to beacquired via one or more sensors, the receptacle having a connectionprevention mechanism that prevents connection of a standard USB plug tothe receptacle; connecting a data acquisition device having a modifiedUSB plug to the receptacle having the connection prevention mechanism,the modified USB plug being configured such that the modificationdefeats the receptacle's connection prevention mechanism whilefacilitating interconnection of the modified USB plug with standardUSB-compliant devices; and acquiring object-related data via the one ormore sensors using the connected data acquisition device.
 17. The methodof claim 16 further comprising: disconnecting the data acquisitiondevice by unplugging the modified USB plug from the receptacle havingthe connection prevention mechanism; and connecting the data acquisitiondevice to an electronic device having a standard USB receptacle.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the electronic device having the standard USBreceptacle comprises a computer system.
 19. The method of claim 16 inwhich the object comprises a living subject and the method acquiresbiometric data from the living subject.
 20. The method of claim 16 inwhich the object comprises an electrically sensitive object and themethod acquires non-biometric data from the electrically sensitiveobject.